Where to stay in Kyoto

Exploring Kyoto

Known for its shrines and spring cherry tree blossoms, Kyoto is one of Japan's most beautiful cities. Having been the capital for more than 1,000 years and having never been bombed in WWII, it has retained many fantastic structures through a collection of intriguing districts backed by a ring of mountains.

Kyoto is a classic blend of ancient and modern, with the ordinary urban sprawl of downtown Kyoto contrasting against the ultra-modern Kyoto Station and other shiny structures. As a whole the town is quite staid, but delve a little deeper and you'll discover a wealth of beauty which sets it apart from the average Japanese center.

Central Kyoto is the most important part for tourists as it contains most of the shops, restaurants and hotels, along with the likes of the Imperial Palace. Off to the east is the ancient and fun Gion district, best known for its geishas and tearooms, and here you will also find the city's most beautiful temples and shrines.

Accommodations in Kyoto

There is a range of options for all travelers. The most popular hotel in Kyoto is the NEST AT NISHIKI, KYOTO, which has been booked 112 times from our Hotels.com verified guests. Our guests also highly recommended Kamuro-an in Kyoto as it has been reserved 7 times.

Sightseeing in Kyoto

The best things in Kyoto await travellers who choose to walk. So we recommend you try walking through small parts of the city in order to savour its atmosphere and life. During the right season, you can enjoy the famed cherry blossoms, which can be found in many parts of Kyoto. A walk along the Philosopher’s Path is a great way to soak in the natural beauty while taking a slow stroll.

You must definitely visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace which was once the home to noble families in court. Today, it has been torn down and converted into a huge park having more than 9000 trees, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and recreation. Three of the must visit UNESCO heritage spots include Toji and Nishi Honganji Temples and the Nijo Castle. The latter is famous for its Kano school sliding door paintings while Nishi Honganji houses Japan’s oldest Noh Theatre stage.

Transportation in Kyoto

There are many flight options to get into Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Between Kansai Int’l airport and Kyoto, you have the option of choosing between trains, limo buses and taxis, though trains are the fastest. The Itami Airport also services Osaka and is the domestic airport of the city. You will likely fly in here when travelling to Kyoto from other Japanese cities. From Itami airport, take Limousine bus No 15 into Kyoto. From Tokyo, you can arrive at the JR Kyoto station by Shinkansen bullet train.